Sky-Watcher SkyMax-150 PRO HEQ5 Pro: the premium planetary set
The top combination of the 150 line: the 150/1800 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (f/12) on the HEQ5 Pro SynScan, the mount that is considered the standard in its class among astrophotographers. For visual work, this means: unwavering stability at any magnification and ample reserve for camera experiments on the moon and planets.
What do you see through the SkyMax-150 PRO?
This is high-level planetary observation. Jupiter shows structure within the cloud bands, Saturn the Cassini Division as a constant, and Mars its polar caps and dark plains. The Moon at 200x is an endless landscape. Double stars split the 150 mm optics with book-like perfection: sharp Airy disks in calm air. Globular clusters and bright planetary nebulae complete the program.
HEQ5 Pro: stability with photographic reserve
The HEQ5 Pro carries this compact optical tube effortlessly, allowing vibrations to dampen almost instantly. The SynScan GoTo finds and tracks more than 42,800 objects. Anyone who later wants to mount a camera and a small refractor or Newtonian will already have the foundation in place with this mount: that makes this bundle a long-term purchase.
This is how to get the most out of this telescope
- Give the thick correcting lens plenty of time to cool down. 45 to 60 minutes with these larger lenses. A Maksutov rewards patience with a silent image.
- Protect against dew The front meniscus lens fogs up faster than a mirror. A dew shield is the most useful first upgrade for this type.
- Align the mount to Polaris: For visual use, roughly north and the correct pole height are sufficient; after that, you can follow objects effortlessly.
- Use a power tank: The SynScan mount runs on 12V and cold nights drain battery capacity.
- Magnification: the 28 mm eyepiece provides 64x; an eyepiece around 9 mm (200x) gets the most out of this set.
- Plan with the moon: Around the first quarter you see the most detail along the terminator. Our lunar calendar have the best nights in a row.
For whom yes and for whom no
Hello The moon and planet specialist, double star enthusiast, and urban observer: bright targets don't care much about light pollution. Unsure about the type? Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners List the considerations.
Not For wide deep-sky fields, the field of view of this long focal length is too narrow. If you stick to visual observing, the EQ5 SynScan version suffices and you save a considerable amount of money. Long-exposure deep-sky photography belongs to the smart telescopes or a bright Newtonian; moon and planetary shots are precisely a specialty of this optics.
Featured accessories
These accessories add the most after purchase:
- Moon Filter 25%: at this long focal length, the moon is the main course, and bright. The Omegon Moon Filter 25% (1.25 inches) dims the light and increases the contrast. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
- Smartphone adapter: It’s precisely with a Maksutov, with its long brand focal length, that moon photos taken with a phone are impressive. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
- Carrier bag there is an exact fit Maksutov 150 bag and a bag for the tripod. Look at the carrier bags.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Optical design | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
| Opening | 150 mm |
| Focal length | 1800 mm (f/12) |
| Tube length | 40 cm |
| Mount | HEQ5 Pro SynScan (equatorial, GoTo) |
| Ocular | 28 mm 2 inch LET, long eye relief (64x) |
| Seeker | 9×50 optical finder scope with crosshair |
| Controls | SynScan hand controller with 42,800+ objects |
| Tripod | 1.75 inch stainless steel |
| Maximum useful magnification | Around 300x |
Included in the box
- Sky-Watcher SkyMax-150 PRO optical tube
- HEQ5 Pro SynScan GoTo Mount with Hand Controller and 1.75 inch Stainless Steel Tripod
- 28 mm 2 inch LET eyepiece (64x)
- 9×50 optical finder scope with crosshair
- Free: Stargazer's Handbook by Telescoop.nl (16 pages, Dutch language)
Free Stargazers' Handbook
Every Sky-Watcher telescope from Telescoop.nl comes with our own Stargazer’s Handbook in the box. It’s a 16-page booklet that helps you get started on your first few nights: how to align the finder scope, what magnification to start with, why the image sometimes wobbles, and when a telescope does or doesn’t need to be collimated. It’s not a thick book—just the essentials you really need when you’re starting out.
Honest advice from observers
We sell and use the Sky-Watcher line ourselves. In our Sky-Watcher brand guide We'll explain which series are strong and which you'd rather skip. View the full range on our Sky-Watcher brand page. Order before 11:59 PM for fast delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium. Unsure about assembly or version? Call or email us; we're happy to help you with these systems.
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